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Nickel Alloy Alloy 333 vs Astroloy

Nickel Alloy · grade comparison

Nickel Alloy Alloy 333 and Astroloy are both nickel alloy grades. Astroloy is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,050 MPa (152 ksi) against 310 MPa (45 ksi) for Alloy 333, about 3.4 times as much; tensile strength follows at 1,415 MPa (205 ksi) vs 690 MPa (100 ksi). In exchange, Alloy 333 is the more ductile: elongation 50% versus 16% for Astroloy, and Astroloy is harder (375 HB vs 190 HB). Alloy 333 runs hotter in service (1,100°C vs 815°C continuous) and Alloy 333 conducts electricity better (1.5 % IACS vs 1.3 % IACS). On the shop floor, Alloy 333 machines more easily (poor vs not recommended) and Alloy 333 welds better (very good vs not recommended).

Alloy 333Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.

AstroloyChoose it when strength drives the design.

Alloy 333 vs Astroloy: properties

Alloy 333Astroloy

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

203 GPa29.4 Msi
213 GPa30.9 Msi

Shear Modulus

78 GPa11.3 Msi
82 GPa11.9 Msi

Bulk Modulus

165 GPa23.9 Msi
178 GPa25.8 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.31
0.3

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

690 MPa100 ksi
1,415 MPa205 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

310 MPa45 ksi
1,050 MPa152 ksi

Elongation at Break

50%
16%

Reduction in Area

55%
18%

Compressive Strength

320 MPa46.4 ksi
1,080 MPa157 ksi

Shear Strength

450 MPa65.3 ksi
880 MPa128 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

290 MPa42.1 ksi
620 MPa89.9 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

110 MPa·√m100 ksi·√in
85 MPa·√m77.4 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

150 J111 ft·lbf
25 J18.4 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

190 HB
375 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

90 HRB
—

Hardness, Rockwell C

10 HRC
40 HRC

Hardness, Vickers

200 HV
400 HV

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.14 g/cm³0.29 lb/in³
7.91 g/cm³0.29 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,330°C2,426 °F
1,250°C2,282 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,400°C2,552 °F
1,340°C2,444 °F

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Specific Heat Capacity

460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
420 J/kg·K0.1 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

13.9 µm/m·K7.7 µin/in·°F
12 µm/m·K6.7 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

285 J/g123 BTU/lb
290 J/g125 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

1,100°C2,012 °F
815°C1,499 °F

Min Service Temperature

-196°C-321 °F
-200°C-328 °F

Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 11 W/m·K6.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

1.5 % IACS
1.3 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.16×10⁻⁶ Ω·m45.7 µΩ·in
1.31×10⁻⁶ Ω·m51.6 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

72 / 100
62 / 100

Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.15 V

Manufacturability

FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.

Machinability

25 / 100
12 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

12%
8%

Weldability

78 / 100
10 / 100

Formability (cold)

70 / 100
8 / 100

Castability

40 / 100
35 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

65 / 100
40 / 100

Same in both: Polishability 70 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

165 MJ/kg70,937 BTU/lb
240 MJ/kg103,182 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

12.5 kg CO₂/kg
16 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

400 L/kg47.9 gal/lb
320 L/kg38.3 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

35%
15%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

85 kN·m/kg
179 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

24.9 MN·m/kg
26.9 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

237 kJ/m³
2,588 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

2.9 mm²/s
3.3 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

3
6

Strength versus weight

Yield strength against density for every nickel alloy grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.

2005001,0006.577.588.59Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scaleAlloy 333Astroloy

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityAlloy 333Astroloy
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Both take the same 3 finishes: Gold Plating, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating.

Alloy 333 vs Astroloy — frequently asked

Is Astroloy stronger than Alloy 333?

Yes. Astroloy has a typical yield strength of 1,050 MPa (152 ksi) against 310 MPa (45 ksi) for Alloy 333 — about 3.4 times as much. Tensile strength is 1,415 MPa (205 ksi) vs 690 MPa (100 ksi).

Which is cheaper, Alloy 333 or Astroloy?

Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.

Which is easier to machine, Alloy 333 or Astroloy?

Alloy 333. Its machinability rates poor (25/100) against not recommended (12/100) for Astroloy; for welding the order is Alloy 333 first (very good, 78/100) then Astroloy (not recommended, 10/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Alloy 333 and Astroloy side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.

Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.